As a recruiter, I’ve met hundreds of candidates seeking a variety of roles across a variety of seniority levels. The goal is always the same: to nail the interview and get the job. Yet, only some candidates leave a lasting impression. Far fewer usually make it to the end of the hiring process and receive an offer letter. What did these candidates do right to help them stand out?
Presentation of self
We always hear that first impressions matter. But just how much? A study conducted by the University of York suggested that a single glance of a person’s face for just 33 to 100 milliseconds is enough for them to form a first impression. Imagine how much more in-depth this impression can be when we take into account dressing, speech and even manners!
Set yourself up for success
Depending on the mode of your interview you may want to prepare differently. Online interviews usually require more pre-planning. Some things to think about include:
Is my environment conducive for a call?
Do I have a stable internet connection?
Do I have a working microphone for audio?
Do I have a clear camera / webcam for video?
Have I silenced my phone and informed others around me that I am occupied for the duration of the call?
On the other hand, physical interviews require less miscellaneous preparation. But it is still good to think about:
Are there any documents that I need to bring?
Will I need anything to make myself more comfortable? (e.g. jacket to protect against the cold / water bottle to quench thirst)
Will I need a notepad to take notes?
Dress to impress
When deliberating over what to wear at an interview, here are some considerations that may help you out.
Is there a dress code?
Will I feel comfortable and poised to succeed in this outfit?
Does my outfit look cohesive from head to toe?
If there’s any doubt, remember that it’s always better to clarify with the hiring manager!
Communicate clearly
I often hear candidates mention that something they want to improve on is their communication skills. Unfortunately, communication isn’t something that can take a miraculous upturn overnight. It needs to be worked on daily.
But what if I have an interview tomorrow, you ask? Well, here’s some advice.
Pause to think before speaking
It’s always better to deliver a well thought through answer than a poorly structured explanation that forces you to have to stop and start again. With this pause, you should already start to think about how to structure your answer in a way that makes it easy for you to hit all the points, while also ensuring that your listener follows along.
Schools in Singapore teach the use of the P-E-E-L method, which is a useful and simple acronym to follow.
P: Point of your answer
E: Elaboration of your point
E: Example of your own personal experience or something you’ve heard about
L: Link your answer back to your point to close
Speak slowly
This not only buys you more time to think, but it also naturally helps you to enunciate your words clearly so you deliver your answer with more clarity.
From an interview point of view, I love when candidates speak at a pace that is comfortable for me to follow along! This means that I’m able to have a meaningful conversation with them and give them the best shot at joining the company.
Show some attitude!
Good attitude, of course. For me, the candidates that leave a lasting impression and make my day are not always the technically strongest or the most confident. This is consistent across all levels of seniority and roles.
Instead, it’s the ones who have a clear passion for what they’re doing, and a keen interest to grow themselves and their skills who make my day. Those who are able to smile and keep the conversation casual and relaxed also create a more comfortable environment that leaves a better impression.
If you’re ever running late for an interview, don’t panic! Let the interviewer know that you will be delayed and always apologise for the inconvenience caused as well. The last thing you want is for your interviewer to get antsier the longer they have to wait, which might ruin your chances!
Come prepared
Some interviews require a certain level of expertise or knowledge of theory. If you’re worried you’ll be rusty, set aside time earlier in the week to revise and brush up!
Another area that candidates often miss out on is taking some time to understand the company they’re applying to. From an interviewer’s perspective, it’s always nice to hear that a candidate has done their research on the company. This signals initiative and also genuine interest in being a part of the organisation.
Interviews also often round off with an opportunity for you to ask the interviewer some questions. Contrary to popular belief, not having any questions at this point isn’t a bad thing at all!
However, if you have any doubts to clarify, pen them down somewhere in advance so you and the interviewer don’t end up in a situation where you’re struggling to remember your question or the question doesn’t come out phrased the way you intended for it to be! You don’t want to waste this chance to get answers to your questions.
Go forth and conquer!
At the end of the day, keep in mind that hiring managers are looking to HIRE. While your goal in the interview is to get the job, the hiring manager’s is to give one out! So, show your best and most genuine self, and that’s already half the battle won. Feel free to drop a comment if this article’s helped you out and I wish you all the best!
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